Jokic clinches triple-double average, Murray returns in the Nuggets’ 117-109 win over the Grizzlies

DENVER AP Nikola Jokic became the third participant in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season Jamal Murray hit several clutch shots in his return and the Denver Nuggets beat the Memphis Grizzlies - on Friday night After a slow start offensively Jokic had his th triple-double with points rebounds and a dozen assists He wrapped up a triple-double average with his fourth assist of the night The other players to average a triple-double for a full season Russell Westbrook Jokic s current Denver teammate and Basketball Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson Aaron Gordon led Denver with points and Murray chipped in points in his return from a sprained right ankle that sidelined him six games Desmond Bane led Memphis with points Ja Morant added for the Grizzlies who led by as numerous as in the first half but watched the Nuggets chip away until closing the battle on a - run over the final six minutes The Nuggets improved to - strengthening their bid for home-court advantage in the Western Conference playoffs and the Grizzlies fell to - Takeaways Grizzlies After getting fined for celebrating -pointers with a finger guy pointed at the opponents bench Morant continued doing what looks like a grenade pull and lob after big buckets although he insists it s not what it looks like telling ClutchPoints I m taking my words and I m throwing them out there Nuggets Westbrook also came up clutch for the Nuggets scoring points Key moment During pregame introductions Murray s name was communicated for the first time since March against Milwaukee Key stat The Grizzlies were just of on -pointers in the first half but Denver was a meager of Memphis finished of and Denver of Up next Both teams play Sunday The Grizzlies head home to host Dallas and the Nuggets trip to Houston to face the Rockets who have wrapped up the No seed in the West AP NBA https apnews com nba Source